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Canadiens happy to head home tied 1-1 with Bruins

AP
7:01 p.m. EDT May 4, 2014

Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (76) is swarmed by teammates after scoring a goal in the second overtime period against the Boston Bruins in game one of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden.(Photo: Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports)

MONTREAL (AP) — The Canadiens are choosing to look on the bright side as they return to Montreal after earning a two-game split in Boston.

Sure they could be leading the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series 2-0 with the next two games on home ice, but the Canadiens are putting the 3-1 edge they squandered in Game 2 behind them.

It was Montreal's first loss of this postseason.

"We went to play two games where it's tough for any team to play in the NHL and we're out of there with the series tied," Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said Sunday during a conference call. "That's the big picture.

"I think it's a boost of confidence for our players that we're able to compete with that team and play with that team. One thing for sure, playing at the Bell Centre, with the fans and support we've got, is a tough place for the other team to play. I'm sure the players will feed off our fans."

The Canadiens pulled out a 4-3 overtime win in the series opener on Thursday, but let a lead slip away under relentless Bruins pressure in a 5-3 defeat on Saturday.

Games 3 and 4 of the series will be played Tuesday and Thursday respectively, in Montreal.

The Canadiens were given the day off on Sunday and will practice Monday at their suburban training center.

While the Canadiens took home-ice advantage away from Boston, the Bruins seem to have grabbed momentum in the series with four third-period goals on Saturday.

"Momentum, yes it's a part of hockey, but there's nothing you can do about the past," Therrien said. "What's important is the moment.

"Our preparation for the next game has already started. From the coaching standpoint, there are going to be things we'll apply during practice and make sure we apply them in the next game.

"Momentum starts when they drop the puck."

PHOTOS: Best of the second round

Los Angeles Kings right wing Marian Gaborik (12) celebrates with defenseman Drew Doughty (8) after scoring a goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period in game seven. (Photo: Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports)

Anaheim Ducks right wing Kyle Palmieri (21) is called for an elbowing penalty against Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) during the third period in game seven. (Photo: Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin (6) celebrates after scoring a goal as Anaheim Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen (45) reacts in the first period in game six of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. (Photo: Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)

Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) is checked into the boards by Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jeff Schultz (55) and left wing Kyle Clifford (13) in game six of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center. (Photo: Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)

Montreal Canadiens right wing Dale Weise (22) celebrates his goal with teammate right wing Brandon Prust (8) as Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Bartkowski (43) looks on during the first period in game seven of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. (Photo: Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports)

Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) slides under Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) and is called for interference during the first period in game seven of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden. (Photo: Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports)

Boston Bruins right wing Jarome Iginla (12) reacts to scoring a goal on Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) during the second period in game seven of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden. (Photo: Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports)

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Matt Niskanen (2) trips New York Rangers center Derick Brassard (16) to draw a penalty during the second period in game seven. (Photo: Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports)

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) makes a save against New York Rangers center Brad Richards (19) as defenseman Robert Bortuzzo (right) defends during the first period in game seven. (Photo: Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports)

Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) makes a save as Boston Bruins left wing Loui Eriksson (21) looks for the puck during the second period in the game six. (Photo: Jean-Yves Ahern, USA TODAY Sports)

Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) is checked into the boards by Boston Bruins defenseman Kevan Miller (86) during the first period in the game six. (Photo: Jean-Yves Ahern, USA TODAY Sports)

Minnesota Wild right wing Nino Niederreiter (22) and Chicago Blackhawks left wing Brandon Saad (20) fight for the puck during the first period of game five. (Photo: Dennis Wierzbicki, USA TODAY Sports)

Pittsburgh Penguins center Brandon Sutter (16) is congratulated by teammate left wing Jussi Jokinen (36) after scoring a first period goal against the New York Rangers in game six. (Photo: Andy Marlin, USA TODAY Sports)

Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta battles for the puck with Bruins defensemen Torey Krug and Kevan Miller during the first period of Game 5 at TD Banknorth Garden. (Photo: Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports)

Anaheim Ducks right wing Teemu Selanne (8) celebrates with center Nick Bonino (13) after scoring a goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period in game three. (Photo: Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports)

The Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate a goal by Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) against the New York Rangers during the second period of game three of the second round. (Photo: Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) and left wing James Neal (18) celebrate after defeating the New York Rangers in game two of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. (Photo: Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports)

New York Rangers left wing Carl Hagelin (62) checks Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the second period in game two of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. (Photo: Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports)

Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Chris Kunitz (14) and center Evgeni Malkin (71) celebrate a goal by defenseman Kris Letang (58) against the New York Rangers during the second period in game two of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. (Photo: Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sport)

New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) handles the puck against pressure from Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) during the first period in game two of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. (Photo: Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sport)

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez (27), Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) and Los Angeles Kings right wing Marian Gaborik (12) celebrate a goal in the first period of game one of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. (Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Kings right wing Marian Gaborik (12), defenseman Drew Doughty (8), and right wing Justin Williams (14), center Mike Richards (10), center Jeff Carter (77) and center Anze Kopitar (11) celebrate after scoring with seconds left in the third period of game one of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. (Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)

Anaheim Ducks left wing Matt Beleskey (39) celebrates a goal in the first period of game one of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Los Angeles Kings at Honda Center. (Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)

Anaheim Ducks right wing Devante Smith-Pelly (77) checks Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) in the first period of game one of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. (Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)

Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23) and Anaheim Ducks defenseman Ben Lovejoy (6) battle in front of the net in the first period of game one of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. (Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)

New York Rangers center Derick Brassard (16) celebrates his game-winning goal with left wing Daniel Carcillo (13) against the Pittsburgh Penguins in overtime in Game 1 of their second-round series. (Photo: Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports)

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates with the puck as New York Rangers defenseman Anton Stralman (6) defends during the third period in game one. (Photo: Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports)

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Therrien denied that the Canadiens were just trying to protect their lead in the third period before the Bruins stormed back. He said Boston had only one scoring chance in the first half of the third period and scored on their first real chance of the final frame.

Defenseman Josh Gorges said the players want to put Game 2 behind them.

"There's no sense in celebrating too much after a win or beating yourself up after a loss," he said. "It doesn't do anything for you for the next game. We know where we stand. We know we have to be better."

Therrien wouldn't discuss any potential lineup changes.

He said forward Brandon Prust, who looks to be struggling, is "totally healthy," and that he liked what he saw from rookie winger Michael Bournival, who returned to the lineup after sitting out a game in favor of veteran Travis Moen.

"He had a really good first round," said Therrien, who used Bournival in every game of an opening-round sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning. "We put him back in the lineup. I wanted to use his speed. I thought he did a good job with (Tomas) Plekanec."

Therrien also said he hopes that popular singer Ginette Reno would be back to sing the Canadian anthem in Game 3. The Canadiens scored early after she sang in both home games against the Lightning.